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May 25, 2026
The Markets Brief
ASX Pre-Market · 7:30am AEST
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Opening Note
Australian investors return from the weekend to a modestly constructive global backdrop. Wall Street closed Friday with the S&P 500 up 0.37% to 7,473.5, the Dow gaining 0.58% to 50,579.7, and the Nasdaq adding 0.19% to 26,344.0, pointing to a steady open for the ASX 200, which last closed at 8,657.0. The US 10-year yield fell 0.61% to 4.56%, easing rate pressure on growth and yield-sensitive ASX sectors. The dominant commodity theme heading into the week is oil, with WTI crude at $96.60 — down 0.88% Friday — as US-Iran ceasefire negotiations progress and Trump signalled no urgency on a deal. A potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains the key variable for energy markets, with direct implications for ASX-listed energy stocks. Gold holds elevated at $4,523.20, while copper edged up 0.24% to $6.38, supportive for base metals miners. Watch South32, which surged 5.07% to $4.35 on Friday — the copper and base metals price strength provides a plausible macro catalyst. REA Group (-4.07% to $152.02) and Seek (-5.85% to $12.71) are also in focus as rate-sensitive, consumer-facing digital platforms that sold off as broader risk appetite in property and employment-linked stocks faded late in the week.
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Markets at a Glance
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Indices
| ASX 200 |
8,657.0 |
▲ +0.41% |
| S&P 500 |
7,473.5 |
▲ +0.37% |
| Dow Jones |
50,579.7 |
▲ +0.58% |
| Nasdaq |
26,344.0 |
▲ +0.19% |
FX
| AUD/USD |
0.7161 |
▲ +0.09% |
| AUD/GBP |
0.5313 |
▼ -0.11% |
| AUD/EUR |
0.6149 |
▼ -0.08% |
| AUD/JPY |
113.5950 |
▼ -0.09% |
Rates
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Commodities
| Gold |
$4,523.20 |
▼ -0.15% |
| WTI Oil |
$96.60 |
▼ -0.88% |
| Copper |
$6.38 |
▲ +0.24% |
Crypto
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ASX Market Movers · Previous Session
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▲ Top Gainers
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S32
South32
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$4.35 |
▲ +5.07% |
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PLS
Pilbara Minerals
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$6.34 |
▲ +2.92% |
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RIO
Rio Tinto
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$184.81 |
▲ +1.72% |
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LYC
Lynas Rare Earths
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$18.86 |
▲ +1.56% |
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IGO
IGO
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$9.21 |
▲ +1.54% |
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STO
Santos
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$8.24 |
▲ +1.35% |
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TNE
Technology One
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$29.50 |
▲ +1.17% |
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BHP
BHP
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$59.75 |
▲ +1.10% |
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▼ Top Losers
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SEK
Seek
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$12.71 |
▼ -5.85% |
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REA
REA Group
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$152.02 |
▼ -4.07% |
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IAG
IAG
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$7.87 |
▼ -3.44% |
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CAR
CAR Group
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$24.82 |
▼ -2.82% |
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GMG
Goodman Group
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$30.28 |
▼ -1.85% |
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ORG
Origin Energy
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$10.90 |
▼ -1.80% |
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TLS
Telstra
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$5.38 |
▼ -1.47% |
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WTC
WiseTech
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$37.09 |
▼ -1.44% |
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ASX Focus
Overview
South32 led ASX gainers Friday with a 5.07% rise to $4.35, supported by copper's 0.24% gain to $6.38, while rate-sensitive digital stocks Seek (-5.85%) and REA Group (-4.07%) fell as investors rotated away from consumer and property-linked platforms.
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ASX Market Data
South32 Surges 5.07% as Base Metals Prices Firm
South32 closed Friday at $4.35, up 5.07%, the strongest ASX 200 performer of the session. The move aligns with copper rising 0.24% to $6.38 and broader base metals strength, which benefits South32's diversified metals portfolio.
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ASX Market Data
Seek Drops 5.85% as Rate-Sensitive Digital Platforms Sell Off
Seek fell 5.85% to $12.71 on Friday, the largest ASX 200 decline of the session, with no specific company announcement. The move mirrors weakness across consumer-facing digital platforms including REA Group (-4.07% to $152.02) and CAR Group (-2.82% to $24.82), consistent with investor rotation out of rate-sensitive growth stocks.
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ASX Market Data / MarketWatch
Energy Stocks Mixed as WTI Crude Slips Ahead of Iran Deal Talks
Santos rose 1.35% to $8.24 Friday, while Origin Energy fell 1.80% to $10.90, as WTI crude declined 0.88% to $96.60 amid reports a US-Iran ceasefire deal — which could reopen the Strait of Hormuz — is approaching. A deal that restores Iranian oil supply would be a material headwind for ASX energy producers.
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Macro & Policy
Overview
US credit card interest rates averaged 19.19% in May as markets price in approaching Fed rate cuts, with incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signalling a potentially opaque, Greenspan-style communication approach that adds uncertainty to the rate outlook.
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eciks.org via Google News
Fed Cuts Loom as US Credit Card Rates Hold at 19.19%
US credit card interest rates averaged 19.19% in May 2026, with markets anticipating upcoming Federal Reserve rate cuts. Lower US rates would typically weaken the USD, providing support for the AUD/USD, which last traded at 0.7161.
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Yahoo Finance via Google News
Incoming Fed Chair Warsh Signals Greenspan-Style Opacity
Incoming Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh has suggested he may adopt an Alan Greenspan-style approach, favouring less explicit forward guidance. For Australian investors, reduced Fed transparency adds uncertainty to global rate expectations and AUD/USD trajectory.
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Commodities
Overview
Gold held at $4,523.20 — down just 0.15% Friday — while WTI crude fell 0.88% to $96.60 as US-Iran ceasefire talks advanced, threatening to ease oil supply constraints that have kept energy prices elevated.
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The Guardian / MarketWatch
WTI Crude Falls 0.88% as Iran Deal Edges Closer
WTI crude dropped 0.88% to $96.60 as reports emerged that a US-Iran ceasefire and potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is nearing agreement. For ASX energy producers including Santos and Woodside, a resolution that restores Iranian supply would pressure oil prices and squeeze margins.
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Market Data
Copper Gains 0.24% to $6.38, Lifting Base Metals Miners
Copper rose 0.24% to $6.38 on Friday, contributing to broad strength in ASX base metals stocks including South32 (+5.07%), BHP (+1.10% to $59.75), and Rio Tinto (+1.72% to $184.81). Sustained copper demand, linked to global electrification and infrastructure spending, continues to support the diversified miners segment of the ASX 200.
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Global Markets
Overview
Wall Street closed Friday with broad gains — S&P 500 +0.37% to 7,473.5, Dow +0.58% to 50,579.7 — while the US 10-year yield fell 0.61% to 4.56%, easing financial conditions and supporting risk assets heading into the new week.
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MarketWatch
Wall Street Gains Friday as Yields Fall and Earnings Momentum Holds
The S&P 500 closed Friday at 7,473.5 (+0.37%) as strong corporate earnings continued to support equities, though analysts flagged a summer ahead rife with policy and macro risks. The US 10-year yield's 0.61% decline to 4.56% reduces pressure on rate-sensitive ASX sectors including REITs, utilities, and growth stocks.
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MarketWatch
Trump Says No Rush on Iran Deal as Strait of Hormuz Talks Progress
Trump stated the US would not rush into an Iran deal, even as ceasefire negotiations advanced and a Strait of Hormuz reopening appeared close. For Australian investors, the outcome directly affects global oil prices and the earnings outlook for ASX-listed energy producers.
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The Number
$4,523.20/oz
Gold's Friday close at $4,523.20 — down just 0.15% — keeps bullion near historically elevated levels, supporting ASX-listed gold miners and reinforcing safe-haven demand that has persisted through ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
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